Art History Before 1450, VAFA191
Instructor: Roberta A. Mayer, Ph.D.

EARLY MIDDLE AGES -- HIBERNO-SAXON ART (600-800)
Study Guide 13

Germanic metalwork

Early Medieval, Germanic metalwork, fibula, mid-6th century

Early Medieval, Sutton Hoo Purse lid, ca. 625

Viking woodcarving

Early Medieval, Viking, Animal head from the Oseberg ship burial, ca. 825

Viking, Woodcarved ornament from a stave church, Norway, ca. 1050-1070

Hiberno-Saxon art (art of the Irish-English Islands)

Hiberno-Saxon, Man (symbol of Saint Matthew), Book of Durrow, ca. 660-680

Hibernon-Saxon, Cross and carpet page, Lindisfarne Gospels, 698-721

Hiberno-Saxon, chi-rho-iota page, Books of Kells, late 8th or early 9th century

 

Hiberno-Saxon, Saint Matthew, Lindisfarne Gospels, ca. 698-721

Hiberno-Saxon, High Cross of Muiredach, Monasterboice, 923

Vocabulary

cloisonné
fibula
interlace
manuscript illumination
stave church
zoomorphic
ship burial

Practice Essay Questions

Identify and describe the key stylistic elements of the metalwork of the Germanic tribes? Give an example to support your point.

What was found at Sutton Hoo, and what was its importance?

When were the Celts of Ireland converted to Christianity, and what factors best account for the independent development of their art?

Identify and describe the most important stylistic characteristics of the carpet page of the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Why did medieval manuscript illuminators copy earlier examples rather than work directly from nature?

Where were Celtic high crosses originally placed.  Discuss the key elements of the style, and explain their purpose.